DIALED IN!

As I mentioned in last week's post, my maiden voyage on my new Marin was good, but less than spectacular. I attributed most of the issues to my lack of experience riding a full suspension bike and made the most of the ride last week at Madrone.

During the week, I researched the Marzocchi front fork and Fox rear suspension shock online to see if I was missing something. Indeed I did overlook a couple of tuning elements, so I played with the adjustments some more. I also bought a wireless bike computer at Performance Bikes, so I could see just how far and fast I ride.

After installing the computer, I found that I couldn't get it to work based on the manufacturer's instructions. My neighbor saw me fiddling with it and suggested that I move the receiver on the front fork closer than the manufacturer's instructions. He said he had had similar issues with his and that seemed to fix it.

Sure enough, I moved the receiver closer to the magnet on the spoke and VIOLA! It worked! Thank God for Daniel, as this was the second computer I had that I couldn't get to work. Now, I will try the same thing on my old one and install it on my Marin hardtail for a backup ride.

I took my new Marin out to McAllister Park Saturday morning to try and dial in the suspension. Man, what a difference! I modified my position on the bike during climbs, by moving even further up on the seat, towards the handlebar. It helped tremendously, as my front wheel did not lift off the trail as it had at Madrone last week. The rear suspension was like BUTTER - SMOOTH.

This morning, I went to OP Schnabel to put the bike though it's paces on a wider variety of trails. Although it was overcast, I decided to try my luck with the weather. I took my usual warm up ride through the front trails by Bandera Road, and the bike performed like a champ.

Then, I headed to the bottom of Leon Creek, to find some downhills, rock gardens, and the roller coaster hills north of the golf course. My Marin ate them all up and asked for more. Unfortunately, after two hours and 10 miles of riding, my legs were tired. Obviously I will need to lose more weight and improve my conditioning even more to really stretch the limits of this bike.

I received several complements about the fire red paint job, and the Quad Link suspension. I wound up getting it full of mud, riding through the Leon Creek bed. I was able to shake most of it off during my ride back to the truck, but I couldn't get all of it off. Later, I washed the bike because I was afraid of the clay mud sticking to the components and possibly damaging them.

Yesterday I rode 7 miles at Mc Allister, having hit a top speed of 23 miles an hour on the levee downhill. Today I rode 10 miles, averaging about 5 miles per hour during my ride. (That includes taking a couple of breaks to rest and eat a Gu packet, so in reality, I probably averaged about 7 or 8 miles an hour on the trail.)

We have rain in the forecast all week, so I'm not sure what shape any of the local trails will be in next weekend. I am itching to try the Cibolo Creek trail along the creekbed, but Mel doesn't want me going there unless I get a GPS unit for the bike. Hopkins, my usual riding buddy, hasn't been able to ride for a couple of weeks, so I've been going solo.

Regardless of where I ride next week, I am sure my new Marin will be up to the task.

ASS CHEWING

Today was my appointment for my annual physical, which I had put off as long as I could because I knew what was coming; my annual ass chewing about my weight. My doctor is really cool and he didn't chew on me that much, but everything we talked about led back to my weight.

• I told him my toes felt like they had arthritis - he said lose 35 pounds and they won't hurt.
• I told him my shins tend to be sore long after riding wounds have healed - he said lose 35 pounds and they won't hurt.
• He took my blood pressure, which was a little high (probably cause I was dreading the ass chewing) - he said lose 35 pounds and my blood pressure will be normal.
• I told him my weekly rides were 2 to 3 hours long - he said lose 35 pounds and I will ride longer and harder.
• I told him my new bike tries to become a lowrider - he said lose 35 pounds and it will be the correct height it was designed to be.
• I told him my hair color doesn't last as long as it used to - he said lose 35 pounds and I won't care about my hair color.

Bottom line is, I have to lose 35 pounds. Mel and I already went back to Weight Watchers, so we took the first step, but he wants to see me again in 4 months! AND, 35 pounds is just my SHORT TERM GOAL. He wants me to get to 180 pounds eventually....I haven't been 180 pounds since I was a junior in high school!

Oh well, it's not like I wasn't expecting it.....

MIKE'S NEW BABY - FIRST IMPRESSIONS

I took my new bike out for it's maiden ride at Madrone Trail this morning and here are some of my observations, since I've never ridden a full suspension bike before today:

• I need to lose weight. The bottom bracket clearance is listed at 13 inches. When my 230lbs of voluptuous man flesh is sitting on it, the clearance is considerably less.


• The geometry of this bike is very different from my hard tail. The wheelbase is longer to begin with; when I sit on the bike, it stretches even more.


• Because the wheelbase is longer, my center of gravity is different, so my climbing ability was adversely affected because the front wheel kept lifting off the trail on climbs.


• After about an hour, I changed the front fork and rear shock settings to give me a firmer ride (less bouncy). Although I felt less like a low-rider, the front would still lift somewhat on climbs.


• If your technical riding skills are limited, this bike won't help you overnight. Maybe eventually, but not overnight. Although I am not an expert rider, if I was less experienced, I could have gotten into serious trouble because this bike is FAST on downhills. At one point, I was feathering the brakes on a downhill and the front wheel came up a bit, causing me to drift and slam by head and shoulder into a tree. My shoulder is a little sore, but it could have been much worse.

Overall, I think I'm going to LOVE this bike; I just need to get used to riding it and change my riding style to better utilize its strengths.

STILL HERE!

I haven't made time to post since last month, but I am still here and alive! I had a week off, during which, Hurricane Dolly hit; thank God our family in Brownsville is okay. I hear there is still water in low areas, but for the most part, everyone is okay.

We are having staff changes at work, as one of my employees accepted a promotion and is moving to Pittsburgh, PA, to become a SYSCO Credit Manager. The only thing constant is change...

I have still been riding at OP Schnabel, Madrone, and McAllister, my endurance seems to be improving as I have been trying to ride at least twice a week. I have my eye on a full suspension Marin East Peak, so hopefully Santa will come to visit me early this year.

Mel bought a 2007 Chevy Equinox and we sold her 1996 Cavalier. I am glad she got another vehicle even if it was used (it was new to her). She is happy and that is all that matters.

We are doing fine and are truly blessed!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABY!

Today is our 7th wedding anniversary. The Lord blessed me with my life partner and I thank Him daily in my prayers. I can't imagine my life without Mel, and I look forward to growing old with her.

Thank you for 7 years of marriage, and more importantly, 13 years of being my best friend! I LOVE YOU!

MADRONE TRAIL REVISITED

The last time Hopkins and I rode was two weeks ago at Madrone Trail at Canyon Lake, north of San Antonio. Our morning ended abruptly with both of us getting pinch flats on the trail. Unfortunately, both of my spare tubes had holes in them, so it pretty much ended our day.

Today, armed with three new spare tubes each, we decided to try our luck at Madrone again. With the recent rains, we were concerned that the trail might be muddy, but it is so rocky, there were no mud issues.

It was a beautiful morning to ride, although neither of us felt in top condition. Hopkins seemed to be coming down with a bug because his stomach was queasy and he was very winded. My problems were alcohol related, having had one too many adult beverages at home last night.

We tried to push through our shortcomings and were able to ride further than last time. Eventually, Matt started feeling worse, so we found the park road and headed back to my truck.

Madrone is a challenging trail with varying levels of technicality. I look forward to heading back there and finishing the entire trail, as it is very scenic, with views of Canyon Lake at almost every turn. I would totally recommend this trail for intermediate and advanced riders, but head out early, as it gets very hot in the summer.

With the end of fiscal year madness over at work, I look forward to riding during the week again. When I don't ride, my body can sure feel it, as my stamina wanes considerably. Until next time, adios.

IT WAS ELECTRIC! LITERALLY....

As I mentioned in a previous post, I flew to Dallas this past weekend to go see Michael. For various reasons, we hadn't seen each other since he graduated from UTPB in Odessa in the Spring of 2007. The visit was long overdue.

I flew in Saturday only knowing that we were going to the Texas Rangers game, but nothing else. Michael picked me up and we were both hungry, so we decided to check out a restaurant in Deep Ellum called the Twisted Root Burger Company. To quote Pulp Fiction, "Uuummm, that's a tasty burger!"

After lunch, we decided to head to my hotel so I could check in and get settled. An hour and several construction detours later, we found the hotel. Mind you, we were NEVER lost, because we knew where we wanted to go, we just couldn't find a way to get there. That's our story and we're sticking to it!

After checking in and unpacking, we headed to Michael's apartment to pick up his bag. We wound up watching a rerun of Seinfeld and laughed our asses off. The game started at 7pm and we knew we needed to be there with enough time to find parking, so we decided to head to Hooters in Arlington for some beers, wings, and great conversation.

We made it to the game with time to spare, so we went to the gift shop and Michael bought me a cool Rangers shirt. Afterwards, we went to find our seats. Michael told me before that he bought us decent seats, but there was no way I was prepared...OUR SEATS WERE ON THE 11TH ROW! We were practically on the freakin field! IT WAS AWESOME!

Halfway through the game, storm clouds started hovering above the stadium, with spiderwebs of lightning threatening to strike the stadium at any second. As a precaution, the upper deck was evacuated and fans were asked to move to lower sections. By this time, we were starting to get a decent buzz, so being soaked by the rain didn't bother us a bit.

We cheered the player's nicknames (as dubbed by Michael), bet on the dot race, sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame, tried to dance the Cotton Eyed Joe, did the Wave, talked about anything and everything that came to mind, and just had the greatest time! Although the Rangers ultimately lost, they put up a good fight, eventually losing 8 to 6; having failed to score with runners on base in the 8th and 9th innings.

After the game, we stopped at IHOP and grabbed a bite to eat before heading to the hotel. Sunday morning Michael dropped me off at the airport and went home to rest and get ready for a WWE pay per view event he would be attending later. Michael and I promised each other to get together again soon, at least for the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, but hopefully sooner.

It was great to be back home although I was only gone overnight. I don't sleep well unless I am in my bed and with my lovely wife. After grabbing some burgers, Mel and I went home and I hit my recliner for an afternoon nap. Traveling is exhausting!